The 3 Triad TRICK That Will CHANGE Your Playing

[@erichemard7066]

Been playing for over 20 years…I accidentally discovered triads, the cage system and intervals (never knew these things existed) while noodling around with minor and major power chords; breaking them down into 3 note groups resulting in 9 triads per chord, upper-mid-lower register of the scale in the same chord. Here’s a quick tip…once you realize that regardless where you are on the neck B&C, E&F are always next to each other and above and below each other. One interval up or down of either B/C, E/F you know is either an A or G with a D in between. That’s it…that’s the entire secret to unlocking the fret board….practice practice practice…

[@patalbor3507]

There are many great players out there people want to "play" like, but TIm is a person and a player worth striving to BE LIKE. Its like he brings out the best player in me somehow. Thank you so much Tim.

[@aDvEnTuReSxOFxRaWrY]

Is tim the best? Tone, chops, attitude, gear, production and that refined taste like the hills of Tuscany . Thank the gods for this man

[@EddieB2047]

Totally agree

[@guitarman7xExcelsior]

If I could sit down with this man and get instruction for just one day, it would be better than a week with Clapton, McCartney or Page. (And I love them all).

[@Miguel...160]

Plus the enjoyment shown in his face when playing 😊

[@mspeedm5849]

This guy was built for this. Never heard it described as clearly. You rule!

[@timwhite5562]

The Rock man was cool. And yeah, the whole Hysteria album was done exclusively through one. I playing about 35 years ago (though I people only played maybe twenty of them). I started with the Mel Bay books, wildly inaccurate tabs, VHS recorded music videos and poorly worded magazine lessons. To this day I have a friend who plays with the most bizarre and counterproductive picking style, the casualty of an ambiguously worded Eric Johnson hybrid picking article in the early 00's. I don't watch the channel religiously, but every time I do I'm always struck by how good you are at this. I struggle to think of anyone that I've come across that puts everything in such a clear and concise manner. More than once have I found myself realizing just how convoluted my understanding of various things had been, hanging overcomplicated relatively simple concepts. It's a gift. And you always look like you're exactly where you want to be. 👍

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

Damn. Another free lesson on this guy’s page… I’m getting ready to buy his course, so I really appreciate watching a couple of these videos so I can see what his teaching style is like before I commit. This guy is one of the most stellar dudes on the planet. I fucking love him.

[@tomwicks8953]

Really glad you did this video. Having been a lead guitarist in my 20’s & 30’s then trying to get back into it at 65, it is a great help to navigating the fretboard. 🙂😎🙃

[@EddieB2047]

Tim I can’t thank you enough for all the tips I’ve learned from you. You are a gentle soul and a pro and in my opinion one of the best musician ever, thank you!

[@nomadman123]

Fantastic. The thing you do so well is that you always show how it’s used to make music. Whether it’s a concept or scale or chord shape, etc. you show how to make it sing.

[@timpierceguitar]

thank you so much for the comment. I appreciate it.

[@LordHasenpfeffer]

Man, this is some amazing stuff. I'm just now picking up guitar for the first time in my life... This is how I want to be able to play. I call this style "rainy day blues". So gorgeous.

[@raydanielz9408]

The BEST guitarist of our time. Thanks for sharing Tim. You appear on almost all of the records in my collection

[@ShaneJung]

I figured this out intuitively years ago but would have never been able to describe it so clearly! Thanks Tim, amazing stuff!

[@strangfangers]

In a resent interview, Vince Gill repeated several times throughout the video that, it's always about serving the song, and everything you'd ever really need to do so, was shared in this lesson. I will be chewing on this lesson for along while. Thank you brother.

[@timemerson2691]

One thing you and uncle Larry have in common is, you both have fun when you’re playing. That’s what we’re all aiming for. Thanks Tim.

[@brianb1846]

Hello from AZ Tim! This explanation of the caged system demonstrates it with the most clarity that I've ever seen, thanks!

[@SeekerGoOn2013]

Yes! A-G and C-D

[@GemeAle-x6r]

Tim, in college jazz band, I had to cram for every exam. It forced me to learn every triad without CAGED. Situations where there are minor triads, the specific inversio s have to be voiced instead of the common CAGED trick of running a pentatonic lick when the chord is minor. The ascending 4th progressions will beat you into submission and you have to use brute force memorization and repetition. iii > vi > ii > V > I > IV > viiø Then drill all the dom7 voicings in ascending 4ths C7 > F7 > Bb7 > Eb7 > Ab7 > Db7 > Gb7 > B7 > E7 > A7 > D7 > G7 all in the same position! Grueling stuff, but I'm glad I never did CAGED. It makes sense and is a very helpful way to visualize neck patterns, so I won't dissuade anyone from using it. Yeah, jazz voicings can be brutal, until you repeat them 1000 times as though Jimmy Bruno is standing over you and cussing constantly.

[@GemeAle-x6r]

Oh also, autisticly adding 7ths and the rest of the extention tones is the jazz sound...and further complicates easy pattern visualization systems. Like learning Morse Code, there's no substitute for just doing it over and over.

[@frankb518]

Tim, Great Lesson.....Gave Me A Flash Back of Chelsea Vocational High school In Manhattan. 74,75&76 Where The school had started It;s very First Music Classes And Our TEACHER ARTIE BLOUGH....If I spelled his Name right..... I had been Playing Guitar for About 3 years learning by ear and the 1,000 chords book.... But the Classes introduced the world Of Theory, chord structures....And I'm Still Learning! Thank you for sharing the Knowledge! More To Digest!

[@GregKosic]

AWESOME!!! Glad I made it...Tim you ROCK!!!

[@allanrathgeber4311]

So happy I found your site. I taught beginners and some intermediate guitars from 1971 to about 10 years ago. Now that I am 70, Arthritis has come for a visit and slowing me down. This is the most insightful lesson I have ever witnessed and will be signing up for the master class shortly.

[@GeneralTHC]

I wish it could have waited until my 70s to visit me. I was convinced my 3 + decade long relationship with the guitar was over when arthritis decided to enter my life in my mid 40s, and perhaps it will end eventually, but ironically for now I've became a much better player. Because I need these super hours long warms-up before I feel like I can play my best stuff, so I end up practicing a lot more. I sure didn't see that coming! But I find NOT playing is what does me in. For now, I can still play Yngwie licks, but my knuckles sure aren't a pretty site. I suspect I will eventually morph into doing more slide stuff. My dad was a consummate pedal steel guitarists and I grew up knowing a lot about it and always thought I would pick it up one day. Perhaps I will finally.

[@konarain]

@@GeneralTHC A-l-o-h-a

[@4211welderman]

Absolutely beautiful playing. Love the “simple” sound it’s just so soothing

[@dalemorgan3957]

You're playing is just so fluid and sweet in its composition, it is no wonder you are so revered, and believe me you have no reason to be humbled by anyone who truly admires your talents.

[@stuartjames222]

An amazing man.....and so willing to help us "guitar men"....and by the way I'm a 77 year old boy 😂😂 thank you Tim 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@garyrochussen3430]

Boys at heart, stay in that mindset, always have fun!

[@Daniel-es2qy]

Appreciating the theoretical tips but what I'm loving even more is how stellar Tim's tone is in all his vids.

[@frankdardano3182]

Welcome to our planet, .Mr smile. I learn so much language used in tabs,music structure from your brilliant mind, you still can't stop that great smile, when you play what you had in mind, and then do it correctly. YOU ARE A TRIP, and I don't need anything, but your info, and your smile, TAKE CARE! ❤❤ GUITAR!

[@DOWNLOADZ]

Additionally, the E shape corresponds to the F shape. Thanks Tim for your amazing content!

[@Eventheodd1]

Seeing all of that equipment in the background makes my mouth water. Oh what I wouldn't give...

[@richardcaruso002]

He also has 3 or 4 full marshall stacks in the basement that are miked up and fed upstairs to his PAs.

[@Vocela]

This is absolutely fabulous, Tim. Love the horizontal playing - love it all, really. Many thanks.

[@gregorygoodellofficial]

I love this... I have been saying this to my students for years... I love that you have just legitimized it for me.

[@13thAMG]

You are always humble, Tim. It blows me away every time. You're amazing, and a great human being.

[@Raven-Creations]

This is a great lesson. If you extend the process to seventh chords, it makes jazz so much easier. You've then got the most important chord tones under your fingers, and you have the scale forms that go with the chords. One of the problems many have with learning jazz is that we are taught which scales go with which chords, but then solos just sound like you're practicing scales. By starting from the chord tones, and filling in the gaps with scale tones, you're guaranteed a musical result. Not only that, but pretty much any note between the chord tones is usable. On a dominant seventh, between the 1 and 3 you have b9, 9, and #9, which are all usable. Between 3 and 5 you have to be careful because the 4 can sound naff, but the b5 is usually ok, between 5 and b7 you have #5, 6/13, and #13 (which are usually ok, but again need care), and between b7 and 1 you have the 7, which is ok as a leading tone. The important thing is that you concentrate on the chord tones and use the notes in between to connect them.

[@bryantcochran5065]

Love this lesson! I'm working on playing one string lines and it's really helping my ear development, and I'm finally really learning the fret board. Thank you Tim!!

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

What a lovely video. You are so open and honest and I'd say humble. The licks are *SO TASTY* and the guitar is beautifully in tune as you go up the neck. Many thanks.

[@dezedaar8009]

If you'd look at CAGED when starting from the D chord, it becomes obvious how all the 'vanilla' chords will melt from one shape into another. The last fretted note (when playing a 'D shape' it will be your ring finger) will be the first note to fret on the next version of that chord (the C shape). This will always be a thing and it will even include the 'E shape" of the chords.

[@titichartay7216]

You have such a beautiful touch Tim & your advice about writing & memory is spot on.😊

[@marcodado7473]

Finally somebody talks about this, it is 20 years I am listening people talking about CAGED system and it always makes me smile.If you are thinking CAGED it means you did not get it yet.

[@M00nkat55]

Your tone is incredible, both driven and transparent

[@21Million]

This is why they call it the ACE system. Works beautifully with m6 arpeggios, the basis of my personal soloing system. Thank my teacher Stephane Wrembel

[@billconley6246]

Tim, you’re so deserving of the kind of praise given by Bukovac! Your work on this channel and your career is a national treasure!

[@murlyn2]

That song is beautiful! Such a master guitar player.

[@Dante95240]

Great info brother T! The "visualization" mindset works great for me. I just run through the scales, chords+ in my mind, over and over, and when I sit down to play, my fingers are more 'in tune' with my brain and everything is easier! 😁 Mind over matter!

[@wchphoto]

"Finger tucker!" That's hilarious. I'm trying to stop using my little finger due to arthritis in the first joint. It's difficult not to use it but you make it look so easy. Gives me hope!

[@charleydrayton2499]

Love this lesson Tim! Hope we get to play again soon. It's been ten years. That's long enough,

[@timpierceguitar]

oh my gosh, so great to hear from you. Hope you are well. Yes, it's been too long ...

[@mototakahe836]

I am blown away every time I watch. It is all over my head but ,I just love watching and listening. Particularly love your "mellow" ones. I discovered that write it down thing at University to remember stuff. Not guitar, languages. Thank you Mr Pierce.

[@MrDammit2hell]

been struggling to wrap my head around how to play triads in a meaningful way, and just watching this has already helped. Safe to say, I still need more help :D but its a great start. Tim is a fantastic teacher and highly talented

[@MVos-md3rp]

Another great exposition of the simple complexity of guitar theory!

[@thommyguitar8384]

Hie Tim, I don´t know if somebody has already mentioned before - the "Tab" shown at 2:51 is: 1 - 2 - 3 - b5 - #5 - I think. But your 3 Triad Trick opens another door - thanks for sharing. I love to check your videos, so much to improve my playing. It is unique how you let a few simple notes sing and fly... With best wishes.

[@raymondcorreira847]

Thanks Tim! I’ve been trying to get more melodic with my solos, now I have another tool to use with this lesson!

[@EdgarBowlin]

Tim Pierce, I am NUTS! I was a drummer through 1984, switching to guitar in late high school. Being left handed, I picked up right hand guitars and flipped them over, and I still do (acoustics), while my electrics are left handed but strung reverse, and a few right hand double cutaway. Can you believe I survived playing that way all these years? Haha, me and Doyle Bramhall II, Dick Dale (RIP) and a handful of others. Thanks for all you do for us, Tim! Much Love and Respect - Edgar Bowlin

[@Hbomb731]

Tim, “Change” is only one of so many songs you have made that has defined a generation. I graduated high school in 83 you wrote the sound track to my life! Yes the lead to “Change” is great but you have so many more! Thank you for sharing your talent!

[@JS45678]

I love watching others use these complicated methods so beautifully. I just play music in a highly simplistic way using my trusty pentatonic scales and standard open chords. 😊

[@SL-fm9fj]

I finally understand what the Mel Bay rhythm chord system is.😊

[@user-no1cares]

I’ve been improvising on Tennessee Whiskey because I found it easier than working with 3 or 4 chord progressions. You put the one string component into it for me & now I can build the double stops & triads on top of that one string. Throw in the D Major just for fun, feel around for a place to drop the E Major & now it’s getting easier to improvise on a 4 chord progression. Thanks.

[@MashaT22]

Omg this is brilliantly explained! Very helpful- thanks Tim! I am trying to get to the heart of CAGED, and this revelation makes a ton of sense where I was like huh?!

[@timpierceguitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@vextract4662]

I learned Triads and inversions long before I heard of CAGED. I learned to sight read traditional and tabs. Then, "this is A", this is the 7th, 9th, 11th. Then flat 5ths or 9ths etc and augmented and diminished half or whole. Then the modes and tons of classical guitar and blues. Then I drank a bottle of whiskey in my basement and listed to Michael Brecker 😆. That led to more drinking. 😢 Edited to say Tim's a great guitarist and teacher, I watch a lot of his videos. Im not mocking it's just some humor

[@roywilliamson.]

Hi Tim. Great comment regarding Modelers. I view my modeler as a completely different tone colour. I can create some really great tones with it and more importantly, they cannot be created with conventional amps. If you view your Modeler as its own identity, much the same as you would view the differences between all the different makes of amps, distortion, chorus, Reverb etc, then they are great, and can be better than the amp. As we know, a lot of amps only really sound great at jet engine levels. How many of us can use them at that level. My advice to everyone, is to stop trying to compare it to an amp of any type. I have never found any amp of any make to sound exactly the same as another amp of the same make, so why should a modeler. The way the modeler interacts is the same thing. I never worry about weather it reacts exactly the same as an amp. It does not limit me. I just build a patch with the perfect tone I want and press the button. no messing with volume pots, treble bleeds and all the other paraphernalia to get your amp and guitar to do what you want. Just for info. I only use NUX MG300. I don't care les if it isn't a Fractal, Pod or its price or anything else. All it has to do is produce a tone that inspires me.

[@rodneyyoku6276]

Great Tim , I like the way you talk explain and show simple but best unlike others with a lot of words.

[@CustomTele52RI]

YES I *do* see the Piercius Major fretboard constellation! 🤣 This one really hits me where I live right now, trying to visualize the chords & chord tones while improvising leads. Been playing for decades but only ventured into lead guitar in the past ~ 3 years, during which I have not-so-coincidentally acquired a few guitars . . . 😘🎸 Thanks, Tim!

[@maximillianpalaza]

TIM! Your work on Bat Out of Hell II (BACK INTO HELL) Is some of my favorite guitar work I've ever heard. I wanna say thanks for sharing your knowledge with everyone. This is a great video.

[@tinamichelsnelson1563]

I still have my Rockman! Still works great. At the time, thought that was the greatest thing ever invented! I still love the sound of it!

[@RistoBopDz]

Probably the most usefull lesson and advice I never heard since I try to be an honest guitarist ;) Thanx so much!

[@_Dominant_7_Flat_5]

Why does Tim always sound so fresh and masterful in his execution? Because he is a master of simplicity. He's the master of distilling music. He reminds me of Paul McCartney. He knows what counts and what doesn't. The Beatles didn't make their music based on over-complicated ideas, but on what is absolutely necessary for a great song, from A to Z they wrote music with no extraneous stuff and that is what Tim does, he makes solos that are timeless and real like George did. I was listening to a Tim Pierce piece in the grocery store (imagine the US population hearing your music every time they picked up a tenderloin) the other day and was floored by the mastery. Tim is Tarrega in the modern era. And I don't say that about many of these fools out here. Check out Beato's Warren Haynes interview, top quality!!! I've said it more than once Tim is The Class Act in this game and I adore his lessons. From Hendrix to Mayfield to Page to on and on the list goes. Sign up for the Masterclass, you won't be disappointed.

[@BrianMaidenO2]

When I first heard Bon Jovi's runaway as a young dude I could never have imagined hearing and seeing Tim from the all star review play and chat on a phone. Love your playing Tim! Tech rules!

[@jkro30a]

How does Tim Pierce not have 2 million subs, I don't understand. Best on the web.

[@undercrackers56]

I had this very argument with a guitar tutor. After years of being "self taught" I paid for a lesson to try and improve my ability and music theory. When he explained the CAGED system I openly observed that D was just C moved up a tone. Also, the E shape moved up becomes F, then F# and then G. He told me I was not a guitarist and all but threw me out (after paying him). There is the open G that we all begin with of course...

[@oldtimer99]

TIM, YOU ARE THE MAN! The most awesome explanation of this over exposed theme.

[@ciclosonico]

You're always amazing Tim, grazie. Listening to you play and the advice you give, is one of the best things on the whole web. You make me want to play.

[@timpierceguitar]

Wow, thank you!

[@mikedegeorge8113]

Great lesson ! Makes more sense with three shapes . It seems before I was letting the caged shapes compete with the scale patterns . Breakthrough for me today . Awesome.

[@RichHayes-s2e]

Thanks Tim- always enjoy hearing you play and the joy you always bring to that playing!

[@beerbikesandblues]

You may dare, you are Tim Pierce😊 The reason I look at the five shapes instead of three is for remembering the perfect notes (Cmaj scale) in each shape and the connecting octaves up and down the neck. Like E shape scale is xx-x -x-x x-xx x-xx xx-x xx-x D shape scale x-xx x-xx xx-x xx-x -x-x x-xx I learned extended maj and minor pentatonic and extended blues scales as well. I really need to work on putting it all together more confidently. I am 2.75 years currently into learning guitar. Apologies for any gibberish. Im self-taught. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@user-bz6vb6op3p]

Thank you. I’ve been saying this for decades. There are only two places on the neck where the E-shape is an E-shape. Move it up a fret; it’s an F-shape. The worst thing guitar teachers do is teach “folk-style.” I grab my E-chord as if a bar chord (which it is) with my index over the nut as the bar. Same with the C. If you play the D-chord in the 2nd inversion (2d fret), then slide down two frets, you have a C-chord. Very simple, Very easy

[@gb1978gb]

Exactly how I learned years b4 the internet existed. Told them the nut is like your index finger on a bar chord. Basic Patterns just shift up the neck…Just three simple triad patterns repeat and interlock….Tried to show this to others and was met with blank stares and ‘that’s not what my teacher says’…..oh well….and they still can’t play past the fifth fret 45 years later….😮

[@gojoe36]

I AM FREAKING GLAD SOME ONE SAID IT!!! There are ONLY 3 in C.A.G.E.D system. Funny how long it took. Tim is the only one I have ever seen say this. I knew, but no one ever says it on YT. When I figured it out I began to FLY up and down the fret board

[@chezchezchezchez]

Why didn’t you let the cat out of the bag on KZbin when you first discovered it? People need to stop hoarding all the great information

[@vacantseaofplanets]

What do you mean? I know scales well and have been playing for a long time but struggle learning arpeggios at this point

[@rferguson3]

Tom Bukovac said the same, at least a few years ago.

[@Shredsofeden]

Even though I went to Berklee I have been teaching this exact thing for 20 years.I teach CAGED OS with stands for octave shape.Tim is an absolutely teacher and player.

[@t_at_large]

Um, Tomo....

[@GregSRX7]

So good to listen to you play Tim, sweet melodic!!

[@bradleystereoguitaramplifi9616]

Dude , I would love to sit in your awesome command module and just jam out with all of your wonderful gear. And as usual... Great lesson too!

[@bamgrok]

What a great video Thank you Tim 💓 🎶🎸 wow i could feel your humility and gratitude when you gave a shout out to uncle larry for his favorite solo😊so fricken cool I watched the Beato interview also with buk and gt. Man it was absolutely fabulous. ❤

[@t_at_large]

I've been telling students the five shapes can be really seen as 3 for years (which also makes it easier to do the minors!). Thanks for the small vindication 😅 and all the great things you share!

[@Owl-qh2rh]

Hello from New Zealand Mr P!!!! Great explanation and lesson.. exactly what Ive been looking for!!!!! Thank you so much!!! Bless bless bless 😎✨🙏🕊️👼

[@joycebrackbill-henderly8311]

I played the Rockman through my pioneer stereo . I loved its tremolo . I didn't have an amp or pedals .....I'm eager to implement these concepts into my playing .

[@danobrien8407]

I’m gonna have to watch this a few times. Thank you for putting this together and sharing, very valuable information.

[@RocktCityTim]

I think that you ACE'd this one, Tim!

[@paulianhodgson]

Greetings from South Africa! This is great, thank you.

[@tonywtyt]

Your cockpit is impressive! : ) I like this more simplified thought because it it makes fundamental sense... 3 inversions, 3 shapes.

[@michaelhuntley353]

Thank you brother! 🙏 this overview really helps me to use the fretboard in a more musically comprehensive way. Much, much gratitude 🙏

[@Czechbound]

Very interesting. In my early teens I figured out what you call "the cage". I don't play piano, but watching some basic piano tution videos here on YT, the piano seems much more intuitive on that "shaping" front. I guess that's why Elton John said he feels for guitar players. But the thing I could never get was how players do guitar solos up the neck and always know exactly where the in-key notes are. I've taken from your explanation it's keeping the shape of the tone/ semi-tone 'dots' on each string, moving them up and down in your head depending on the key, is the trick to always knowing. We know this logically, but your simple diagram of the dots on the strings really brought that home to me. Need to practice this with my eyes closed and forming a mental picture of those dots to really embed it in my brain. Greetings from Prague

[@tjb0617]

Great lesson!!! I’m on vacation without a guitar and can’t weight to test out the concept!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

[@Mikkeyboyy]

great video Tim

[@nickmonk7945]

Thanks for that. Tim Pierce, you’re the best!

[@chuckbouscaren3898]

Thank you Tim! This has been a really educational episode!

[@JusticeConstantine]

Great master class on triads. Thank you Tim.

[@nowayjay123]

A clever observation. In my studies, I was never introduced to CAGED. I learned by using shell chords. I do see your observation is a much more powerful way of using CAGED system.

[@johnskerlec9663]

This is cool Tim. I discovered this a long time ago, and when soloing, find I can evolve solos and melodies to create tension or resolution in interesting ways. Love your work man. If you come to Australia we got to jam.

[@renmazzolo9676]

Great stuff Tim! Cheers from sunny Sydney Australia 🇦🇺👋🎸

[@richardpenhardt6100]

great edition, lots of things to elevate a guitars spectrum ... thank you ...

[@hansmjakobsen6865]

This is probably the best guitar lesson on KZbin 🎶🌟

[@markallanwolfe]

Hello Tim from Bethlehem GA ne of Atlanta thanks for all your videos truly I have learned so much, I been playing for over 40 yrs and CAGED opened up my world. Thank you for your smile too...

[@painlesstragedy]

ty for taking the time to make this helpful video

[@stevebain-dl4nw]

Tim is a gem. Thanks Tim.

[@idem-VIIjan1981]

The melody he is creating is magical. This is playing guitar..

[@mikaelberg4589]

hi From Sweden! i do love youre playing, and i try to keep up and learn so mutch as i can, and this is soo super melodic.

[@brandoz28]

I’m really loving my ToneX one. Great video, Tim! I love seeing how other guitarists visualize and utilize the fretboard

[@brandnewyou5254]

In conjunction with just having your instrument in your hands and watching someone as talented as yourself you will eventually see these things on the guitar neck just like you're explaining I've been doing it for years and I get better every day